If you’re one of the people who used to come to New York in years past, then
mention of hanging out at night on and around Avenue C will likely cause you to shudder. Even a few years ago when
I moved here, Avenue A and B were fine and relatively safe, but Avenue C was still kind of out there. It was not a
place you wanted to stroll at 3 am wearing your ipod…of course they didn’t have ipods back then, but you get the point.
Well things have changed for
ol’ Avenue C. Like so many
other parts of Manhattan that were once the domain of smack heads and crack whores, the place has cleaned itself
up and become a hot spot for the hip and hale. That is not to say it’s lost its edge. You’ll find more tattoos and nose
rings than pinstripes. But places like Baraza, where I’ve been a couple of times, serve up some of the finest
mohitos this side of the Yucatan, and just like its street cousins a block or so over, you can always find amazing grub
even at 3 am. So if you’re coming to the city and feeling a little adventuresome, head over towards the East River and
give Avenue C a try.